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For the Birds: 10 landscaping tips to make your yard more bird-friendly

Sharon Sorenson, Special to the Courier & Press
Published 6:00 a.m. CT May 23, 2020

A least tern glides above a flooded farm field at the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge in late June. The birds are currently on the endangered species list with only about 8,000 in the wild. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS,

A killdeer leads an intruder away from its offspring on a gravel road at the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Indiana in late June. Southern Indiana offers bird watchers a wide variety of feathered finds. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS,

A killdeer feigns an injury to lead an intruder away from its offspring on a gravel road at the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Indiana in late June. Southern Indiana offers bird watchers a wide variety of feathered finds. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS,

A killdeer feigns an injury to lead an intruder away from its offspring on a gravel road at the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Indiana in late June. Southern Indiana offers bird watchers a wide variety of feathered finds. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS,

A killdeer feigns an injury to lead an intruder away from its offspring on a gravel road at the Patoka National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Indiana in late June. Southern Indiana offers bird watchers a wide variety of feathered finds. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS,

Having berry producing plants in the yard attracts numerous birds, like this adult male bluebird feeding a serviceberry berry to his fledgling.(Photo: Courtesy of Sharon Sorenson)

3. Offer water year-round. Birds must drink and bathe. When choosing a birdbath, look for designs that limit water depth to an inch and whose sides slope gently. Accommodate smaller birds by adding a few large rocks. Since moving water attracts birds, add a dripper or pump. In winter, install a thermostatically controlled heater.

7. Go a little wild. Give native plants and grasses a non-mowed back-corner spot where they can go to seed. Skip raking there. Leave a rotting log in the midst. Add a brush pile of downed limbs and branches, piled teepee fashion. Set off the wild spot with a decorative fence or hedgerow. Invite neighbors to join you in creating property-line nature areas.

8. Add nest cavities. Commercial or homemade nest boxes, properly mounted to match birds' demands, a predator guard installed and regularly monitored to oust non-native house sparrows and starlings will bring chickadees, wrens, tree swallows and maybe even bluebirds to your yard. In winter, cleaned nest boxes double as protective roost boxes. But a nest box without a predator guard is a snake and raccoon lunchbox.

9. Aim for an overall yard surface of at least 70 percent native. Research proves that a 70 percent minimum is required to sustain even a single family of chickadees. Since songbirds feed their babies bugs and since only native plants support native bugs, a yard without ample natives becomes a yard without breeding birds.

For more, see my "Planting Native to Attract Birds to Your Yard," available at the Wild Bird Center, bookstores and online.

For more information about birds and bird habitat, see Sharon Sorenson's books How Birds Behave, Birds in the Yard Month by Month, and Planting Native to Attract Birds to Your Yard. Check her website at birdsintheyard.com, follow daily bird activity on Facebook at SharonSorensonBirdLady, or email her at chshsoren@gmail.com.

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A protester who declined to give his name kneels along Riverside Drive while wearing a mask worn by the character V in the movie "V for Vendetta" while on the riverfront in Evansville Wednesday evening, June 3, 2020. The mask has become a symbol for fighting tyranny and oppression and the murder of George Floyd, an African-American, at the hands of Minneapolis police has sparked a nationwide protest movement. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Samantha Stockman revs up the protesters gathered on the steps of the Vanderburgh County Court House at the Civic Center in Evansville to decry police brutality against African-Americans Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Destiny Carlisle of Evansville uses burning sage to "remove the negative energy" from inside the Vanderburgh County Court House at the Civic Center in Evansville Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2020. A large group of protesters were speaking out against police violence to African-Americans. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Julian Washington talks to protesters gathered on the steps of the Vanderburgh County Court House at the Civic Center in Evansville to decry police brutality against African-Americans Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Protesters gather on the steps of the Vanderburgh County Court House at the Civic Center in Evansville to decry police brutality against African-Americans Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

State Rep. Ron Bacon, center, and Mike Griffin, right, close out Fiesta Acapulco Mexican Restaurant with the Warrick County Republicans as they wait for election returns Tuesday night, June 2, 2020. Griffin was running against Cindy Ledbetter for the District 75 seat Ron Bacon was vacating after this term. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS, Denny Simmons

Civic Center security guard Dwight Ellis, left, takes the temperature of field tech BJ Roy before she heads Vanderburgh County Election Office after the polls closed for the primary election which was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic in Downtown Evansville, Ind., Tuesday evening, June 2, 2020. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Dressed as the Statue of Liberty, lead election judge Jan Rhodes helps Mike Minnette with his ballot as voters exercise their rights at the Washington Square Mall voting center for the primary election, rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, June 2, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

Brenda Bergwitz, left, and Martha Stott watch results come in after the polls close on the primary election at the Vanderburgh County Republican Party headquarters Tuesday evening, June 2, 2020. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Joan Rhodes looks over a sample ballot with her husband Tom as voters exercise their rights at the Washington Square Mall voting center for the primary election, rescheduled because of the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday, June 2, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

Charlisse Irvine, 2, adds her touches to a chalk sign at a staged protest for George Floyd on Riverside Drive near the Pagoda in Evansville Monday afternoon, June 1, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Rabbi Gary Mazo begins the interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope at Temple B'Nai Israel Temple in Evansville Monday afternoon, June 1, 2020. "It is the duty of religious organizations to remember the dead and mourn their passing," Mazo said as victims of COVID-19 were remembered. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS, Denny Simmons

Detravion Lance, 10, turns a backflip as his sister, Aceilya Lance, 5, waits for her turn on their backyard trampoline in their Evansville backyard Wednesday afternoon, May 27, 2020. The catalpa flowers dropping onto the jumping apparatus and the spotty rain showers didn't dissuade the two, their brother, Dejuan Lance, 11, and friend, Garrett Meier, 10, from getting in as many jumps as they could. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

An employee of Tri-State Painting Co. Inc. sandblasts a section of the stadium at Bosse's Enlow Field in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday morning, May 26, 2020. Three of the five public high school stadiums maintained by the Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corporation, which also includes the Reitz Bowl and Central Stadium, have begun repair work to the seating areas. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Members and volunteers with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter seven prepare for Memorial Day by placing flags on the graves of veterans at Evansville’s Locust Hill Cemetery Saturday, May 23, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

Helen Miller talks on the phone with family outside her window at Hamilton Pointe during a celebration parade Friday afternoon, May 22, 2020. Miller,90, was among the first to graduate from Hamilton Pointe's COVID-19 wing after four weeks of being cared for in isolation, a result of testing positive for the novel coronavirus. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Seniors socially distance on the bleachers during a rehearsal for a virtual graduation ceremony at Tecumseh High School in Lynnville, Ind., Tuesday morning, May 19, 2020. A television crew from WEHT Channel 25 filmed the ceremony, which will be airing for family and friends to watch on May 30. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Dr. John Reid tells Sunny Goodman that her baby’s heartbeat sounds healthy during a 38-week prenatal check-up at AGAPE OB-GYN in Evansville, Ind., Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2020. Goodman is hoping to be able to have a natural birth but is preparing and planning to have a cesarean section if the birth doesn’t happen before the end of May. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Physical education and health teacher Roseann Wilson celebrates with student as teachers and staff at Holy Redeemer School hold a “Goodbye Parade” with a Luau theme for their students Tuesday, May 19, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

Cousins Diggy Penn, 8, of Chattanooga, Tenn., A.J. Minor, 7, also of Chattanooga and Brenden Minor, 9, of Evansville race in a rematch race along the Ohio River on the Pigeon Creek Greenway in Evansville Thursday afternoon. Their grandparents, Hurley Minor and Zerenia Benton took them out for an afternoon of fresh air. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Helfrich Park STEM Academy student Brylee Herron looks back as meal kits are loaded into the car at Central High School Wednesday morning, May 13, 2020. This was her first time receiving the meal kits prepared by AmeriQual. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Nicole Brackett takes 7-year-old Lilly Page's spaghetti order as she dines with her great-grandparents Altia Wilcox, right, and Charles, not pictured, at Merry-Go-Round Restaurant at 2101 N. Fares Avenue Monday evening, May 11, 2020. It was the first day the restaurant had been open for nearly two months due to the coronavirus pandemic and the longtime patrons were happy to get a chance to visit again. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A shopping cart is of free knick-knacks sits out for people to riffle through outside of Sebree Wholesale along Main Street in Sebree, Ky. The town is located a few miles south of a Tyson Foods poultry plant, which has had more than 70 workers test positive for COVID-19.
SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Eighty-year-old Martha Lynn, picks up trash along the road during her daily walk near Sebree Springs Park in Sebree, Ky., Thursday, April 30, 2020. The park and walking trail she normally uses is closed due to restrictions from Gov. Andy Beshear to curb the spread of COVID-19. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Pearlie Miller, matriarch of the First Ebenezer Baptist Church in Evansville was the first in the pews for the Mother's Day service Sunday morning, May 10, 2020. The Mother's Day service was the first for the church in nearly two months since the stay at home order was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Pearlie Miller receives a pink rose from her great-granddaughter, Inspyir Walker, 10, at First Ebenezer Baptist Church in Evansville Sunday morning, May 10, 2020. The Mother's Day service was the first for the church in nearly two months since the stay at home order was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

The advertisements begin at Holiday Drive-In in Rio, Ind., as Aiden Roberts, 16, top, tries to help his friends, James Evans, 15, and Taylor Sharp, 16, with their portable radio to hear the movie "Trolls World Tour" Friday evening, May 8, 2020. It was the opening night for the drive-in celebrating its 65th year in operation. With the COVID-19 pandemic regulations relaxing, the drive-in had a good crowd despite the chilly temperatures and brisk wind. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Alice Mayes, 92, receives a visit from great grandson James Heimbrecht of Newburgh, Ind., and his daughter, Kaitlyn, 2, at Signature HealthCARE of Newburgh Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2020. Another of the COVID-19 survivor's great grandchildren, Dylan Rhoades, 5, bottom left, was also there with her sister, Lexi, 3, and Mayes' daughter, Onya Rhoades, and son, Del Mayes. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Alice Mayes, 92, of Newburgh, Ind., is a COVID-19 survivor living at Signature HealthCARE of Newburgh which has suffered 12 deaths due to the virus since the pandemic started. Mayes' family came to visit her at the window to her room Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Callie, 8, and Will Kessinger, 13, sit on the top of their mother Kara Kessinger’s van as they listen to Pastor Brian Gibson lead a drive-in communion church service outside of HIS Church, which is located in the Towne Square North shopping center in Owensboro, Ky., Wednesday evening, April 29, 2020. “We loved it,” Kara Kessinger said. “We can’t wait to be back in church. We just love being with God’s people, in God’s house, so this was awesome.” SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Brandie Jones, a cafeteria manager at EVSC, carries two boxes of meal kits to an awaiting car at Glenwood Leadership Academy Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Parents lined up in vehicles and on foot to pick up the two weeks worth of meals, a change from the "grab and go" meals available three days a week up until the district announced a new partnership with Ameriqual this week to provide the meal boxes, distributed only once every two weeks. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Andre Glein, 15, walks down Shadewood Avenue with meal kits distributed by the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation in partnership with AmeriQual Group as a line of cars wait to pick up food from Glenwood Leadership Academy Wednesday afternoon, April 29, 2020. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Jakob Wooten, left, and Zack Breckenridge, center, carry meal kits and milk home from Glenwood Leadership Academy Tuesday, April 29, 2020. Parents and children lined up in vehicles and on foot to pick up the two weeks worth of meals, a change from the "grab and go" meals available three days a week up until the district announced a new partnership with Ameriqual this week to provide the meal boxes, distributed only once every two weeks. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Neighbors follow social distancing guidelines while listening to Judy Pereboom and her 16-year-old grandson Elliot Pereboom, not pictured, play music together in the cul-de-sac outside of Judy’s home in Evansville, Ind., Sunday evening, April 26, 2020. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Judy Pereboom and her 16-year-old grandson Elliot Pereboom, far right, play music together in the cul-de-sac outside of Pereboom’s home as neighbors watch while following social distancing guidelines in Evansville, Ind., Sunday evening, April 26, 2020. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Porter Goebel, left, runs through the kitchen from his mom Holly, center, as his sisters occupy the island before they venturing outside to play in their backyard Friday morning, April 24, 2020. Holly Goebel says this is a typical morning in their household since the EVSC has gone to virtual learning. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office search for evidence after a woman and child were found dead inside a home in the 300 block of Bob Court Drive on Evansville's North Side Wednesday night, April 22, 2020. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Employees with the Indiana Department of Health in conjunction with the Vanderburgh County Health Department conduct free COVID-19 testing for “essential” workers in the parking of the C.K. Newsome Center in Evansville, Ind., Monday morning, April 13, 2020. The testing is meant for first responders, health care workers, grocery employees and others meeting the "essential" definition and will continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day through Friday. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Family and friends gather around the gazebo in Akin Park to witness the marriage of Deon Cooksey, left, and Kiah Ealum, center, Monday afternoon, April 20, 2020. The wedding was planned before the coronavirus pandemic but the couple said they cut back on the guest list limiting it to the "essentials." But groom Deon Cooksey said he wasn't going to let the virus stop them. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Aniya Coomes, 6, excitedly shows her mom, Megan, some of the special gifts she received from the Caravan for Granted Kids – South in Owensboro, Ky., Saturday morning, April 18, 2020. The youngster had her first heart operation three days after she was born and Granted donated a trip to Disney World for her and her family in 2019. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Aniya Coomes, 6, is a thrill-seeker and found going down the plastic slide upside-down in their Owensboro, Ky., yard more exciting than feet first Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2020. One would never guess the Owensboro, Ky., youngster's had heart problems since she was born. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Six-year-old Kynleigh Dalton tries on a cloth mask which came in a care package delivered by volunteers who drove past her house in Dale, Ind., during the Caravan for Granted Kids event, Saturday morning, April 18, 2020. Granted, an Evansville-based non-profit that grants wishes to kids with terminal or life-threatening injuries, has caravans scheduled for the next two Saturdays, in which they will visit the rest of the Granted kids.
SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Kynleigh Dalton takes a video of herself spinning around the living room while spending time with her family at home in Dale, Ind., Friday afternoon, April 17, 2020. Last December, Dalton, who has a rare spinal condition called syringomyelia, was granted a wish to go on a Florida vacation with her family by the Evansville-based non-profit Granted. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Hope Lensing, a Memorial High School junior, hoists a sign out of a sunroof as she says hello to Kynleigh Dalton and her family during the first stop of the Caravan for Granted Kids event in Dale, Ind., Saturday morning, April 18, 2020. Granted, an Evansville-based non-profit that grants wishes to kids with terminal or life-threatening injuries, has caravans scheduled for the next two Saturdays, in which they will visit the rest of the Granted kids. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Zach Hershey, from left, films David Rudibaugh singing, Dean Rudibaugh playing the harmonica over a recording of Tom Drury playing piano during the Virtual Variety Show hosted by White Swan Coffee Lab in Evansville, Ind., Thursday, April 16, 2020. Community members bought $4 tickets and had access to a live zoom feed showcasing the performers.
SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

University of Southern Indiana’s Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Chuck Armstrong shops for supplies to fill care packages for students and others affected by the COVID-19 pandemic Friday morning, April 10, 2020. Anyone who is in need or wants to donate can visit CoronaCarePackage.org MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Evansville Fire Firefighters exit an attic window as they work to extinguish a fire in a home at 305 S Boeke Road Tuesday morning, April 14, 2020. Evansville Fire Department investigators believe the fire appeared to have started on the outside wall of the residence before spreading to the attic. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Ryan Hobgood and his son Wyatt sit in there car during the Easter Together drive-in service in the Eastland Mall parking lot Sunday morning, April 12, 2020. Easter Together was a city-wide drive-in service with more than a dozen area congregations taking part, including Crossroads Christian Church, One Life and Bethel Church. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Davena Day takes part in a song during the "virtual Seder dinner" in her Newburgh, Ind., home Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020. The Seder dinner is an annual tradition to mark the beginning of Passover for Jews across the world. The event had to become a virtual Seder because of the stay at home orders in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. George Day opened his window, inviting others to share their special and meaningful religious observation. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

The Memorial Baptist Church Praise Team sings “Don’t Cry” by Kirk Franklin as they rehearse for Easter Sundays virtual service Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020. The Praise Team practiced social distancing by standing 6-feet apart in accordance with CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

The Rev. Veltri Taylor creates the menu for Friday's meal at First Ebenezer Baptist Church in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2020. The pastor of the church has been in charge of running the Harvest Time Inner City Ministry food center out of the basement since 2009, but the program – started by her parents – has been going for at least 25 years. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Helen Miller, center, waves to her daughter Cindy Schutz, left, from behind a window at The Village at Hamilton Pointe after being surprised by friends and family with a party for her 90th birthday. Due to the spread of COVID-19 the senior living community has stopped visitation from family and friends and the only form of communication has been through windows and video applications. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Debbie Martin of Henderson passes the new stained glass-style mural on the CSX railroad bridge downtown Tuesday morning. It was created by the Downtown Henderson Partnership and the Henderson Tourist Commission to add some color along the Riverwalk, especially as more people are heading out to exercise to break the monotony of coronavirus social-distancing measures. DENNY SIMMONS / THE GLEANER

A Cooper's Hawk keeps a watchful eye as it dines on a fresh bird kill in Newburgh, Ind., Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020. The stealthy hunters are about the size of crows and are agile aerialists who will fly low to the ground before pulling up at fences to attack their prey on the other side. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A Cooper's Hawk keeps a watchful eye as it dines on a fresh bird kill in Newburgh, Ind., Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020. The stealthy hunters are about the size of crows and are agile aerialists who will fly low to the ground before pulling up at fences to attack their prey on the other side. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A Cooper's Hawk keeps an eye to the sky as it dines on a fresh bird kill in Newburgh, Ind., Wednesday evening, April 8, 2020. The stealthy hunters are about the size of crows and are agile aerialists who will fly low to the ground before pulling up at fences to attack their prey on the other side. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Sisters Norah, 8, left, Estelle, 5, center, and Lucy, 10, decorate their driveway in preparation for Easter in Newburgh, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 2020. The girls said they won't be going to church on Sunday (because of the coronavirus pandemic), but they're "still gonna get all fancy" and have a family egg hunt. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Rylee Carson-Lambert, 2, chomps into her cheeseburger from Queen B's Cuisine in Evansville, Ind., Thursday afternoon, April 2, 2020. Queen B's has been offering free lunches around town ever since the schools have been shut down and people have been losing their jobs at an alarming rate. The owner of Queen B's, Bobette Riales, decided she wasn't going to stand by and watch the area kids go hungry. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Lauren Stuckey, an Adoption Counselor at the Vanderburgh Humane Society, takes a dog out for some yard time Wednesday morning, April 1, 2020. With Vanderburgh Humane Society closed because of the state’s “Stay-at-Home” executive order from Gov. Eric Holcomb due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adoptions have stopped. Maintaining care for animals continues to be a top priority. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Ryan Green, 15, rides down the sidewalk near his home the day after his trike was stolen and found Wednesday afternoon April 1, 2020. Green has Down’s Syndrome and since school has been out due to the COVID-19 pandemic he has been riding every day. After his mother, Soni Stinson, wrote about the theft on social media numerous people reached out to help and one anonymous person purchased a new trike for Green which will arrive on April 7th. Green's trike was returned Tuesday evening after being found about 20 blocks from their home. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Castle High School senior Ashlie Garrison greets Yankeetown Elementary School's teachers as they drive past her rural Yankeetown, Ind., home during the Wave Parade in Warrick County, Monday morning, March 23, 2020. Although live classes haven't been officially cancelled for the rest of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Garrison doesn't figure to be collecting her diploma at an actual graduation ceremony as a member of the Class of 2020. Teachers created a caravan of vehicles and drove past as many students' homes as possible in a show of support. They asked high school seniors to wear their caps and gowns. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Shellia Cheatham spends the afternoon cleaning out leaves from the fountain in Garvin Park Thursday, April 2, 2020. A neighbor of Garvin Park, Cheatham as adopted several landscaping areas and decided to take on the job of clearing the fountain this year. MACABE BROWN / COURIER & PRESS

Danielle Bowen and Hanson, a Labrador retriever, take advantage of the flooded intersection at SE 2nd and Oak streets after a late afternoon storm passed through the area Thursday, March 12, 2020. The two were on a walk with Bowen's wife, Keri, when they found the high water. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

People walk along the riverfront near the Four Freedoms Monument in Downtown Evansville, Ind., Thursday evening, March 12, 2020. Heavy rain hit the Tri-State Thursday afternoon, which caused large puddles to form and minor flooding around the area. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

With a piece of bread in its beak, a blue jay soars toward the branch of a red maple tree off Lake Drive on the Evansville State Hospital Grounds Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2020. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

The University of Evansville Purple Aces celebrate as their team switches to hitting in the eighth inning against the Indiana Hoosiers at the newly renovated German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday, March 10, 2020. The Purple Aces defeated the Hoosiers, 5-4. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Travis Reagan of Dalton, Ga., heads to the trailer to fill up his gas can so he can continue spreading sand and rubber onto the new University of Evansville baseball field – now named German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium – Friday afternoon, March 6, 2020. The Purple Aces will debut the new field against the visiting Indiana Hoosiers Tuesday night. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Reitz’s Khristian Lander waits his turn to cut a section of the net after beating Castle in the championship game of the IHSAA 4A Boys basketball sectional at North High School Saturday night, March 7, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Murray State's DaQuan Smith (1) is announced as the Murray State Racers play the Belmont Bruins during the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game at Ford Center Saturday evening, March 7, 2020. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

The Reitz student section watch a Castle comeback during the championship game of the IHSAA 4A Boys basketball sectional at North High School Saturday night, March 7, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Evansville's K.J. Riley (33) reacts to a 58-55 loss to the Valparaiso Crusaders in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Ill., Thursday, March 5, 2020. He missed a free-throw that would have tied up the game with less than a minute left. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Eastern Illinois's Abby Wahl (41) leads her Panthers team off the court after beating Jacksonville State to advance to the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships at the Ford Center Thursday afternoon, March 5, 2020. Wahl, a former Heritage Hills High School stand-out, is a sophomore and her team had a large cheering section at the annual tournament. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

The Morehead State men's basketball team is introduced before their quarterfinal game of the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday night, March 4, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Trevor Hill celebrates his basket during the Unified basketball game at halftime of the quarterfinal game of the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championships at Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday night, March 4, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

People stand for the singing of the National Anthem before the start of the Class 2A boys basketball sectional game between the Mater Dei Wildcats and then North Posey Vikings at Huntingburg Memorial Gymnasium in Huntingburg, Ind., Tuesday, March 3, 2020. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Kindergartners wait for their wedding pictures to be made by their parents after the marital union of the letters "Q" and "U" at Good Shepherd Catholic School Friday afternoon. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Husk Signs employees Rudy Campos, front, and Nick Kirby put up new signs in front of Chaser's Bar & Grill, which used to be called Piston’s Bar & Grill, on West Franklin Street in Evansville, Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, 2020. Chris Brown bought Piston's Bar and Grill in December and decided to change the bar’s name to Chaser's Bar and Grill, after his son, Chase Brown.
SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Old Piston’s Bar and Grill sign letters are piled up outside of the West Franklin Street establishment as a crew of Husk Signs workers put up the new signs for Chaser's Bar & Grill on Evansville’s west side, Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, 2020. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Rachel Barton Pine performs on violin to Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation orchestra students at the Academy for Innovative Studies Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 25, 2020. Pine, a world renowned violinist, gave two performances for students and would finish the night with a concert at the Victory Theatre with the University of Evansville Orchestra. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Ducks and geese swim around the flooded baseball diamonds located across the street from Burdette Park on Evansville’s west side, Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 2020. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Tri-State area until Saturday morning. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Robert Pancake, center, and Meredith January dance to "Brand New Key" as Angel Rhodes performs at Riverwalk Communities Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Center Monday afternoon, Feb. 17, 2020. The singer/songwriter travels all around the region performing blues, rock and country tunes on her acoustic guitar. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

K & K Upholstery & Drapery owner Shirley Krohn, left, looks out at the scene of an accident between a semi-trailer truck and car, not pictured, that collided in front of her shop at the intersection of Riverside Drive and U.S. 41 South in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Sudie, the momma dog, watches with wary eyes as Jessa McCaula, foster mom and office manager for Spencer County It Takes a Village, bottle feeds one of two kittens that Sudie has taken in as one of her own Tuesday, February 11, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

A wide array of blooming flowers are on display as part of Orchid Escape 2020 in Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden's Amazonia. The zoo will be hosting an Opening Night Party tonight from 6 - 9 p.m. and South American food, art and music will be available for $60 per ticket. Must be 21 years and older to attend. The exhibit opens to the public the next day, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, and runs through March 15, 2020. Entry to Orchid Escape is free with paid admission to the zoo. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A wide array of blooming flowers are on display as part of Orchid Escape 2020 in Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden's Amazonia. The zoo will be hosting an Opening Night Party tonight from 6 - 9 p.m. and South American food, art and music will be available for $60 per ticket. Must be 21 years and older to attend. The exhibit opens to the public the next day, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, and runs through March 15, 2020. Entry to Orchid Escape is free with paid admission to the zoo. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Braving a day of rain, sleet and snow, Tim Kratzer, Evansville, makes his way, in a motorized wheelchair, across Fulton Avenue to get to the grocery store Thursday afternoon, February 6, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

Special Education Teacher Darla Chapman and student Isaiah Pope-Looney, 13, have a good time deciding what items to create to put on the Valentine's Day outfit they were making at Lodge Community School in Evansville Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 29, 2020. The outfits are donated to the St. Vincent Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the babies to wear. Isaiah's was had a pizza motif that read "I got a pizza your heart." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Evansville's DeAndre Williams, out with an injury, watches his teammates take the floor for their game against Southern Illinois at Ford Center Wednesday night, Feb. 5, 2020. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Jamaar Gaines of Evansville fishes as fog rolls away from the Ohio River in Downtown Evansville, Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2020. The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures will drop and rain will continue sporadically over the next couple days. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Fog rolls away from the Ohio River in Downtown Evansville, Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2020. The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures will drop and rain will continue sporadically over the next couple days. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technicians, Molly Lott, left, and Paul Bruenderman, realign a motorized cable spool that raises and lowers a water collecting device on the Wabash River in New Harmony, Ind., Monday morning. They were collecting water samples at five points – something they will do 22 times this year – on the river below the new super gauge they installed on the Harmony Way Bridge. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Cayden Wilkerson, 13, clutches his cat Lacy as Evansville firefighters ready a pet oxygen mask after a fire was sparked in their home at 501 Meyer Avenue in Evansville, Ind., Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 28, 2020. Everyone made it out of the home and firefighters shortly recused the cat after arriving on the scene. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

What do you see? This impromptu driftwood sculpture was left by an anonymous artist at the Henderson riverfront earlier this week. As is often the case at the riverfront, the setting sun also provided an amazing work of art. MIKE LAWRENCE / THE GLEANER

Silhouetted in the storage trailer, Ed Kiesel, Haubstadt, with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 16, hangs up coils of electrical cable as he starts the disassembly process for the Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights in Evansville’s Garvin Park Thursday, January 2, 2020. MIKE LAWRENCE / COURIER & PRESS

John Buckman, left, a chief retired after 35 years with the German Township Fire Department, heads back to his vehicle with his grandkids, Kate, 5, and Nicholas Wood, 8, hauling his cowboy boots from a fire at 630 Marlene Drive in Evansville Tuesday evening. "We were at the bank when I heard the second alarm fire," Buckman said of their delayed date at McDonald's for ice cream. "I said, 'Kids, we're going to go see the fire first. See if we can help.' It's the life of a volunteer firefighter," he continued. "You drop what you're doing and go help people." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A barred owl perches in a pine tree in Northern Vanderburgh County recently. The owls' "who cooks for you" call is a dead giveaway for the nocturnal hunter of small rodents. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Tim Baker of Evansville uses a breaker-bar to remove a nut from a pulley on his 42" riding lawn mower Monday afternoon. The mower was in need of a belt replacement, but the stubborn nut was turning a 10-minute job into a much longer one. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Adam Smith, a window cleaner from Indianapolis, Ind., soaps-up a window on the 6th floor during his descent from the Fifth Third Bank Center's 16-story building Thursday afternoon. The High Shine Window Cleaning worker said the job would normally take about three or four days to complete. "We've had some uncooperative weather," Smith said. "We've got another solid day left." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Adam Smith, a window cleaner from Indianapolis, Ind., squeegees the soap and water from a window on the 3rd floor during his descent from the Fifth Third Bank Center's 16-story building Thursday afternoon. The High Shine Window Cleaning worker said the job would normally take about three or four days to complete. "We've had some uncooperative weather," Smith said. "We've got another solid day left." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Adam Smith, a window cleaner from Indianapolis, Ind., begins his descent from the Fifth Third Bank Center's 16-story building Thursday afternoon. The High Shine Window Cleaning worker said the job would normally take about three or four days to complete. "We've had some uncooperative weather," Smith said. "We've got another solid day left." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Emory Foster, 6, takes the wheel of his granddad's John Deere tractor after a morning visit Tuesday morning. The Warrick County youngster lives next door to his granddad, Gary Lockhart, and they were squeezing in as much together time as possible before the start of school on Thursday. "One day he'll be driving this on his own," Lockhart said. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Mullein flowers at Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area in late June. The native plant has been used for hair dying and even torches (when dipped in tallow) and can grow to about 10-feet-tall. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Caleb Aldrich of Mount Vernon, Ind., tests out the sturdiness of a Case IH Magnum 310 Tractor during the Field Show at the Beck's Hybrids facility in Henderson, Ky., Friday morning, Aug. 3, 2018. SAM OWENS/ THE GLEANER

Austin Stoll, 10, runs with a watermelon back to his families tent after it started raining Friday afternoon at the Downtown Farmers Market on July 20, 2018. Stoll was selling produce from Stoll's Greenhouse with his cousins Brianna and Janessa Stoll from Montgomery, Indiana. Macabe Brown / Courier & Press

Bobby Speak, a volunteer at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, takes a break before the start of the Lunch on the Lawn Bicentennial Birthday Bash Friday morning. Vanderburgh County is celebrating its 200th anniversary and tours of the Coliseum were part of the festivities. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Emily Holt enjoys her ride on the Mobile Zip Line during the Lunch on the Lawn Bicentennial Birthday Bash at the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse in Evansville, Ind., Friday, July 6, 2018. A company called Get Your Game On, Inc. set up the 28-foot-tall Spectrum Mobile Zipline on NW 4th Street between the Old Courthouse Center and the Old County Jail, pictured in the background. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Pigeons circle the Vanderburgh County Courthouse before the start of the Lunch on the Lawn Bicentennial Birthday Bash Friday morning. Vanderburgh County is celebrating its 200th anniversary and food trucks, music and even a zip line were on hand. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Gavin Holt, 8, smiles big as his mother and sisters watch him slink down the Mobile Zip Line during the Lunch on the Lawn Bicentennial Birthday Bash outside of the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse in Evansville, Ind., Friday, July 6, 2018. A company called Get Your Game On, Inc. set up the 28-foot-tall Spectrum Mobile Zipline on NW 4th Street between the Old Courthouse Center and the Old County Jail, pictured in the background. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Jason Lamar, an employee with Lockhart Masonry, strikes joints on the foundation of a Habitat for Humanity home as he nears the end of his work day Thursday morning. Two workers had already been excused for the day after showing signs of heat exhaustion in the unforgiving heat and humidity. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Cecil Rouse of Newburgh, Ind., casts at Friedman Park's lake in hopes of landing a bass Tuesday morning. "I fish here daily," Rouse said. The biggest fish he caught so far was a 10-pound catfish when he was bass fishing. "It seems like I catch a lot of other things, too. I had one snap my line the day before Father's Day. I know he's out there somewhere." DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

While taking a walk, Henderson residents Amy Davis and Mike Barron pause to look at the paddle wheeler Queen of the Mississippi as it stopped at the Henderson riverfront on it's way to Pittsburgh Tuesday, June 19, 2018. MIKE LAWRENCE / THE GLEANER

An Evansville firefighter and crew members with Tri-State Towing discuss how to remove a truck that lost control and flipped onto the porch of 809 E. Virginia street in Evansville, Ind. on 3/16/2018. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Daniel Wertz Elementary School students, including Emily Newton (center left) and Liyah Ash (center right), dance to the "Y.M.C.A" as they watch the Evansville Otters take on the Florence Freedoms during an Education Day spring training game at Bosse Field in Evansville, Ind., Wednesday, May 2, 2018. The Freedoms defeated the Otters 10-8 after playing 11 innings. Another Education Day game will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 9. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Mr. Pickles strolls through his new enclosure at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden Monday afternoon. The giant anteater is the first of its kind to be displayed at the zoo in more than 50 years. The species lives in Central and South Americas and is listed as vulnerable on the endangered species list. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

A number of volunteer trees form a canopy over Indiana Hwy 662 on Newburgh, Indiana's West Side. Arborists are currently studying the trees to see if there is a way to save the natural wonder which some say pose a risk to vehicles and their inhabitants. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Traffic negotiates high water near the intersection of South Green and First Streets after a mid-day severe thunderstorm unleashed torrential rain and wind gusts reportedly near sixty miles per hour on downtown Henderson Thursday, May 31, 2018. MIKE LAWRENCE / THE GLEANER

Owen Stucki, 9, shares a laugh with his grandfather Bud Heil about how hard it is to hit the ball up the incline of the last hole due to heavy wind from an incoming storm at Howell Park in Evansville, Ind., Thursday morning, May 31, 2018. Both of them were beat out by Grandma Becky Heil, who finished first with a score of 47. SAM OWENS/ COURIER & PRESS

Kayden Woodall, 10, tries to get a grip on a channel catfish his stepdad, Jason Risse, just caught at Garvin Park Friday afternoon. The heat hadn't slowed down the fishing too much for the two avid anglers. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Theresa and Terry Winters pull weeds from one of their five flower gardens surrounding their Newburgh, Ind., home Monday morning. "Terry didn't know the difference between a flower and a weed when we first met," his wife joked. DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS

Danny Hill from New Bern, N.C. walks his partner Darby, an English Labrador retriever, through an arson investigation scenario during the Arson Dog recertification program hosted by the Evansville Fire Department on Wednesday, June 6. MaCabe Brown / Courier & Press

Karen Gamelin and Christopher "CJ" Walls of Vogel Elementary's Life Skills Program fish together during the 11th annual "Catchin' With Capin" event at Eagle Lake behind Sweet Water Events Center in Evansville, Ind., Friday, May 11, 2018. About 305 special needs students and their helpers spread out along the banks casting line to catch and release fish.
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